Parlor pool-table



(No Model.)

P. L. HAYES. PARLOR POOL TABLE;

Patented June28, 1898.

awe Mau UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

PRYOR LEE HAYES, OF'SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI.

PARLOR POOLsTA BL E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 606,546, dated June 28, 1898. Application filed September 20, 1897. erial No. 652,355. (NomodelJ To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that LPRYoR LEE I'IAYES,L citizen of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of Greene and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Parlor Pool-Tables; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descriptionof the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in game apparatus, the object being to provide, first, a novel construction of pool table adapted especially for amusement in the household, and, second, an improved cue therefor.

To this end my invention consists in a parlor pool-table of circular form having a cushioned rim adjoining the edge thereof and pockets at different portions of the rim, a central spot provided with a series of concentric spaces in which the buttons or balls are bunched or placed primarily or at the beginning of the game, and a series of taw or spot lines arranged between the said pockets, and upon which the taw or cue depends, the

or taw-when drawn back against the tension of the spring. v

My invention also consists in certain other novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, and specifically set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a top or plan view of a parlor pool-table constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is an edge View thereof. Fig.3.is a side view ofthe improved cue, and Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof through the barrel or cylinder of the same.

Like numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the poo1-table,which may be rested flat upon a parlor or dining-room table or be provided with legs for that purpose. The table is circular and is provided with a circularrim 2, adjoining the edge thereof, and which is constructed of suitable cushioning material in the same manner as the cushioned rims of ordinary pool and parlor tables. The

surface of the table may be hard-finished or shellacked or covered with the cloth ordinarily employed in order to providea smooth surface. At diametrically opposite sides of the table I have provided pocket-openings 4, leading to'bags of netting 5, arranged below the table and adapted to receive and retain the balls or buttons forced therein when the shot is made.

A mark or spot 6 is positioned at the center of the table, and surrounding the same are two concentric circle lines 7 8, connected by a series of cross-lines 9 and forminga series of; concentric spaces'lO. In the present instance cross-lines are provided to 5 the number of twenty-one. Hence twenty-one spaces or divisions are provided around the circles. Between the pocket-openings and extending from the cushion-rim of the frame are spot-lines l1, terminating at their inner v ends in spots 12. ball is adapted to be placed, and from which In playing agalne with the construction of table just described Iv employ buttons such as'are used in the game called fcaroms, a suitable taw or cue-ball being provided to force said buttons into the pockets by contact therewith. These buttons are not bunched or grouped together at one end of the table, as are the playing-balls of an ordinary game of pool, but are placed separately in the spaces or divisions 10, arranged con- "centric with the central spot 6.

From two to four persons may play the.

game, and each of said persons places his oneball or taw upon a different one of the terminal spots 12 of the spotted lines 11 and plays his ball from this spotted line throughout the game, and does not change his playing position, as is done in ordinary pool. The object ofthe game of course is to force the said buttons into the pockets at thesides of the table, the cushioned rim readily permitting bank and carom shots. 7

With this construction of table a one of the ordinary construction cannot be conveniently employed, and I have provided a special construction of one adapted for use in connection therewith. This cue is shown in Figs. 3 and 4 and comprises a cylinder or barrel 13, having conical or tapering ends ll. A cue-rod or plunger 15 extends through said cylinder, and a spring 10, inclosed within the cylinder and connecting the same with the cue-rod, is provided to force the cue end 17 outward upon the release of the one after the said end has been drawn inward to contact the spring. The one end 17 referred to has a rubber tip 18, and the otherend of the cuerod is provided with a handle 19, whereby the rod may be grasped. A spiral spring surrounding the rod between the cylinder end and the handle serves as a cushion to prevent jarring of the cue afterthe cue has been forced out by its propulsive spring. The cushionspring in rear of the barrel 13 not only subserves the function of a cushion for stop ping the forward movement of the plunger with a yielding action, but it also serves as a gage by means of which the player may determine and accurately regulate the force and length of the stroke to be imparted to the cueball or taw. In Fig. l the cue or plunger is shown in its normal position, or position of rest; but it will be apparent that when the plunger is drawn back and released the actuating-spring will thrust the same forward, and upon reaching the position in which it is illustrated in said figure it will not stop, but proceed farther, the cushion -spring being partially compressed between the handle 19 and the barrel lb. In order to strike the hardest blow, the tip 18 of the one is placed in contact or close proximal relation to the eu eball, and then the plunger is drawn backward and released. In order to impart a lighter stroke, the tip 18 is located at a distance from the ball, and the force of .the stroke will be in proportion to the distance primarily left between the cue-tip and the ball or taw. The barrel or cylinderis provided on its under side with a downwardly-eurved projection 20, serving as a rest or hold for the thumb to abut against. In using the cue the fore and middle fingers are placed respectively above and below the conical front end of the cylinder and the thumb bears against the said projection 20, and the left hand thus grasping the cue is rested upon the cushion-rim of the table. By now grasping hold of the cue-rod handle and drawing the rubber-tipped end thereof inwardly the spring 16 will be compressed and upon releasing the cue will force the rubber-tipped end thereof outward into contact with the cue-ball or taw of the operator and propel the same across the table.

My invention provides a simple and inexpensive construction of game apparatus adapted especially for the household and which will afford considerable interest and amusement.

Having thus described my invention, what is claimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is-

1.. A pool-table of the type described, comprisinga circulartable-bodyhavingacushionrim around the edge thereof, pockets at diametrically opposite portions of the table adjoining the rim, a series of spaces or divisions arranged in a circle at the center of the table and adapted to receive the buttons or balls initially grouped or bunched therein, and a starting-point at diametrically opposite portions of the table and between the said pockets on which to place the cue-ball or taw, substantially as described.

2. A one for parlor pool-tables, comprising a cylinder, a cue-rod extending therethrough and provided at one end with an elastic tip, a handle at the other end of said rod, a cushion and gage spring between said handle and the adjoining end of the cylinder and another spring incloscd within the cylinder and connected with the cue-rod and adapted, when compressed, to force the tipped end of said rod outward, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

PRYOR LEE HAYES. \Vit nesses:

'l. C. lla'r'rnn, C. G. Oonnx. 

